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Atmospheric, thrilling, and enthralling. For me, these are the three words that can best describe The Unfairfolk. This book is the first of a new series from Sara Wolf that will beguile readers from the first chapter until the very last.
The Unfairfolk follows Lilith Pierce as she puts on her brave face and flies to a foreign a country to attend a prestigious boarding school, as her mother and her new husband enjoy a luxurious honeymoon around the world. In Institut Le Silvere, she meets Ciel Lautrec, an otherworldly person she can’t help but feel attracted to, and Alistair Strickland, a seemingly cruel lawkeeper she keeps running into. Unfortunately for Lilith, she also encounters other people, things, and creatures that she just can’t ignore. Like Von Arx who seemed to hate her the first time they meet, or Knight Durand, a building inside the school grounds that’s been on renovation for several years now, the man with fiery red eyes who seems to be stalking her, and more. What Lilith doesn’t know is that she’s about to uncover something else in this school, and it will all start with the forest.
The writing style is atmospheric in every way possible. The author never fails to make the reader feel so much of the character’s thoughts and emotions, or the surroundings or setting of a current scene, or the ominous threat that seems to loom over the characters. There were a number of times when I truly felt the eeriness of a scene being described in the book, as if I was watching a scene from a horror movie. It’s also impressive how the tone changes every time the point of view switches in every chapter. There’s the first person point of view from Lilith and a third person point of view that alternates between Ciel Luatrec and Alistair Strickland. In every chapter, the tone changes and it matches the characters and the setting so well that it just pulls you in the moment.
The characters are absolutely enthralling. They all have their own personalities and each of them offers a story to tell to the readers. Lilith Pierce is one hilarious (yet deeply scarred) main character. I love her humour and her frankness, but at the same time, there are moments that she was childish. And she knows this herself, she knows it’s her flaw. Alistair Strickland, on the other hand, is layered. I thought I already knew his character, but he kept surprising me as the story progressed. Last but not the least, Ciel Lautrec is one intriguing character. There’s something unnerving about him, whether it be his beauty or his personal (and obscure) ambitions. These characters have a lot more to show to the readers, and I’m excited to see them in the sequel.
I also love how the book touched on several social issues, and I hope the author will tackle more of them in the next books. Lilith and her mother, as well as other characters, are victims of abuse and went through traumatic events. Social class and power imbalance are also a primary theme in the book. We see how toxic and detached rich people can be. And we see how being a child of powerful and influential people means never experiencing normal things and always being too careful around the public. Sexuality is also talked about in the book, albeit in brief passing moments.
The plot is intriguing, mysterious, and thrilling in a way that you’re excited to know what happens next but also very afraid of what the next chapter will bring. I have to say though, at its entirety, the book seems like a prologue. A lot of events transpired in the book, yes, but the progress of the main conflict went slow. It wasn’t until the last 20% of the book that we truly got to know more of the sinister man that’s been following Lilith, or the magical yet strange things that roam around the Institut Le Silvere. As a result, the ending feels a lot like a cliffhanger. But at the same time, it also feels like a promise—a promise that there’s something more and that it’s just the beginning of the story.
Overall, this book is a great read, and the Valenbound series seems promising as ever. I can’t wait to read the next book and see what comes of Lilith’s journey!
(This book review was first published on The Nerd Daily.)
The Unfairfolk follows Lilith Pierce as she puts on her brave face and flies to a foreign a country to attend a prestigious boarding school, as her mother and her new husband enjoy a luxurious honeymoon around the world. In Institut Le Silvere, she meets Ciel Lautrec, an otherworldly person she can’t help but feel attracted to, and Alistair Strickland, a seemingly cruel lawkeeper she keeps running into. Unfortunately for Lilith, she also encounters other people, things, and creatures that she just can’t ignore. Like Von Arx who seemed to hate her the first time they meet, or Knight Durand, a building inside the school grounds that’s been on renovation for several years now, the man with fiery red eyes who seems to be stalking her, and more. What Lilith doesn’t know is that she’s about to uncover something else in this school, and it will all start with the forest.
The writing style is atmospheric in every way possible. The author never fails to make the reader feel so much of the character’s thoughts and emotions, or the surroundings or setting of a current scene, or the ominous threat that seems to loom over the characters. There were a number of times when I truly felt the eeriness of a scene being described in the book, as if I was watching a scene from a horror movie. It’s also impressive how the tone changes every time the point of view switches in every chapter. There’s the first person point of view from Lilith and a third person point of view that alternates between Ciel Luatrec and Alistair Strickland. In every chapter, the tone changes and it matches the characters and the setting so well that it just pulls you in the moment.
The characters are absolutely enthralling. They all have their own personalities and each of them offers a story to tell to the readers. Lilith Pierce is one hilarious (yet deeply scarred) main character. I love her humour and her frankness, but at the same time, there are moments that she was childish. And she knows this herself, she knows it’s her flaw. Alistair Strickland, on the other hand, is layered. I thought I already knew his character, but he kept surprising me as the story progressed. Last but not the least, Ciel Lautrec is one intriguing character. There’s something unnerving about him, whether it be his beauty or his personal (and obscure) ambitions. These characters have a lot more to show to the readers, and I’m excited to see them in the sequel.
I also love how the book touched on several social issues, and I hope the author will tackle more of them in the next books. Lilith and her mother, as well as other characters, are victims of abuse and went through traumatic events. Social class and power imbalance are also a primary theme in the book. We see how toxic and detached rich people can be. And we see how being a child of powerful and influential people means never experiencing normal things and always being too careful around the public. Sexuality is also talked about in the book, albeit in brief passing moments.
The plot is intriguing, mysterious, and thrilling in a way that you’re excited to know what happens next but also very afraid of what the next chapter will bring. I have to say though, at its entirety, the book seems like a prologue. A lot of events transpired in the book, yes, but the progress of the main conflict went slow. It wasn’t until the last 20% of the book that we truly got to know more of the sinister man that’s been following Lilith, or the magical yet strange things that roam around the Institut Le Silvere. As a result, the ending feels a lot like a cliffhanger. But at the same time, it also feels like a promise—a promise that there’s something more and that it’s just the beginning of the story.
Overall, this book is a great read, and the Valenbound series seems promising as ever. I can’t wait to read the next book and see what comes of Lilith’s journey!
(This book review was first published on The Nerd Daily.)
It’s my first ever 5-star read of 2020! AAAAAHHHHHH
The Fever King surprised me! I never thought it would be so captivating—from the prose, to the plot, the characters, and the romance. But here I am, with my mind still reeling. I love it!
Content warnings: Graphic descriptions of death, violence, and murder, mentions of sex, drugs, alcohol/lots of drinking, rape, lots of swearing,
Excellent writing style
I am an absolute fan of the writing style of this book! The prose is sharp, but also kind of mellow, the kind that will grab hold of your emotions no matter what the scene is. The author used a lot of metaphors, but that just made the imagery and the tone so excellent.
Great characters and romance
The characters are just captivating; whether it be a major character or a minor character, and whether it be a protagonist or an antagonist (and to be honest, it’s so hard to grasp who is the hero and who is the villain, and I love that!).
I love Noam! He’s sassy, and brave, and so determined to help the situation of the refugees. Dara, on the other hand, is cold, intelligent, yet he can also be so loving and hopeful. I wish these two just would have just talked more to avoid their miscommunications, but of course, their journey is slow and angsty. Lehrer was such an interesting character, too, and he made the plot all the more interesting.
The romance is also one of my favorite things in this book! It’s slow burn, with a lot of tension and angst! At the end of the book, I was left wanting more. (I just want more of Noam and Dara, please.)
Unpredictable plot
The Fever King is full of twists and turns and I was truly invested with the plot from start to finish. There were times when I thought I knew what was happening or that I was right about my predictions, but I was wrong and the author was able to surprise me with every plot twist.
I love how the plot focused on politics, racism, and immigrants and refugees trying. I know this is such an important and relevant topic, especially in the US, and to have that as a main focus of the story is enlightening.
Awesome world-building
The world-building in The Fever King is also intriguing. It’s set in a “former United States”, and although the place is quite the same, there are differences with the timelines, the history, and of course, the presence of the viral magic. I wish we’ll get to know more about how that viral magic started as well!
I never thought I'd love this book so much! Such an excellent read! I can't wait for the sequel!
(This book review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
The Fever King surprised me! I never thought it would be so captivating—from the prose, to the plot, the characters, and the romance. But here I am, with my mind still reeling. I love it!
Content warnings: Graphic descriptions of death, violence, and murder, mentions of sex, drugs, alcohol/lots of drinking, rape, lots of swearing,
Excellent writing style
I am an absolute fan of the writing style of this book! The prose is sharp, but also kind of mellow, the kind that will grab hold of your emotions no matter what the scene is. The author used a lot of metaphors, but that just made the imagery and the tone so excellent.
Great characters and romance
The characters are just captivating; whether it be a major character or a minor character, and whether it be a protagonist or an antagonist (and to be honest, it’s so hard to grasp who is the hero and who is the villain, and I love that!).
I love Noam! He’s sassy, and brave, and so determined to help the situation of the refugees. Dara, on the other hand, is cold, intelligent, yet he can also be so loving and hopeful. I wish these two just would have just talked more to avoid their miscommunications, but of course, their journey is slow and angsty. Lehrer was such an interesting character, too, and he made the plot all the more interesting.
The romance is also one of my favorite things in this book! It’s slow burn, with a lot of tension and angst! At the end of the book, I was left wanting more. (I just want more of Noam and Dara, please.)
Unpredictable plot
The Fever King is full of twists and turns and I was truly invested with the plot from start to finish. There were times when I thought I knew what was happening or that I was right about my predictions, but I was wrong and the author was able to surprise me with every plot twist.
I love how the plot focused on politics, racism, and immigrants and refugees trying. I know this is such an important and relevant topic, especially in the US, and to have that as a main focus of the story is enlightening.
Awesome world-building
The world-building in The Fever King is also intriguing. It’s set in a “former United States”, and although the place is quite the same, there are differences with the timelines, the history, and of course, the presence of the viral magic. I wish we’ll get to know more about how that viral magic started as well!
I never thought I'd love this book so much! Such an excellent read! I can't wait for the sequel!
(This book review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
Whew! Well this was a fantastic and surprising read! Full review to follow.
As a whole, I think Infinity Son is an intriguing new fantasy novel with just enough punch to keep you wanting for more.
First and foremost, I loved the concept of the celestials and specters and phoenixes and magical creatures. I wish there was more about the world-building though. Like what is the difference between celestials and specters, Spell Walkers and Halo Knights. Or explanations about the existence of different magical creatures (not just the phoenixes). I’m still hoping I get some of these answers on the next book, though!
Oftentimes, it felt like there were too many characters, but not enough characterization. I felt like some characters are only there for the action and battle scenes. In fact, they only characters I was invested in are Emil and Ness. Emil is too precious for this world and Ness has a tragic backstory and a potential to become something more. On the other hand, Emil’s brother, Brighton, was downright insufferable. Pretty sure he ruined the mood for me 80% of the time and I felt like I was physically in pain just reading his chapters (I am NOT kidding). Although, if this is the author’s mission in the first place (that is, to annoy the readers with Brighton’s personality), then he did a pretty a good job.
The plot was entertaining and it kept me at the edge of my seat. There were a few plot twists that managed to shock me and made the story more interesting. However, there were still some plot points that were a bit confusing. I’m hoping we get more of these in the sequel. That said, the story line was still enjoyable for me and I absorbed it nonetheless.
Overall, I believe the author did a decent job with his first ever fantasy novel. 3.5 stars for this!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
First and foremost, I loved the concept of the celestials and specters and phoenixes and magical creatures. I wish there was more about the world-building though. Like what is the difference between celestials and specters, Spell Walkers and Halo Knights. Or explanations about the existence of different magical creatures (not just the phoenixes). I’m still hoping I get some of these answers on the next book, though!
Oftentimes, it felt like there were too many characters, but not enough characterization. I felt like some characters are only there for the action and battle scenes. In fact, they only characters I was invested in are Emil and Ness. Emil is too precious for this world and Ness has a tragic backstory and a potential to become something more. On the other hand, Emil’s brother, Brighton, was downright insufferable. Pretty sure he ruined the mood for me 80% of the time and I felt like I was physically in pain just reading his chapters (I am NOT kidding). Although, if this is the author’s mission in the first place (that is, to annoy the readers with Brighton’s personality), then he did a pretty a good job.
The plot was entertaining and it kept me at the edge of my seat. There were a few plot twists that managed to shock me and made the story more interesting. However, there were still some plot points that were a bit confusing. I’m hoping we get more of these in the sequel. That said, the story line was still enjoyable for me and I absorbed it nonetheless.
Overall, I believe the author did a decent job with his first ever fantasy novel. 3.5 stars for this!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
I’ve read Strange Secrets by Mike Russell last year and I enjoyed it a lot. So when I was asked to review a new book from him, I was excited to dive in!
Magic is a strange yet funny and heartwarming story that will make you think about magic and the world, and will make you wonder just how real magic is.
What you need to know, first of all, is that this book is sort of a personal account of Charlie Watson and his strange journey with magic. Charlie, our protagonist, is directly talking to the readers and telling us about his various encounters with different people, telling us about his thoughts and feelings. As a result, I was able to fully connect and understand Charlie as a character. He’s kind, innocent and childlike, and although that can be a little annoying at first, it’s impossible to hate him. He goes through many changes and the readers are right there with him. At the end of the book, I loved his character arc!
The plot is truly strange and interesting, and yet it has a heartwarming touch to it. I felt like it was a little bit dragging at the first few parts, but once the conflict has been introduced, it has been an exciting turn of events. Charlie met a lot of people who made him realize different things, people who made him question whether magic is real or not, and people who made him think about the existence of everything.
There are also a couple of issues talked about in the book. Bullying was a recurring theme and I love the subtlety of various characters overcoming it. Suicide/depression was also talked about in the story, but I feel like the author could have expounded more on that.
Overall, this was quite a nice read and I recommend it to those who are looking for a little magic!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
I’ve read Strange Secrets by Mike Russell last year and I enjoyed it a lot. So when I was asked to review a new book from him, I was excited to dive in!
Magic is a strange yet funny and heartwarming story that will make you think about magic and the world, and will make you wonder just how real magic is.
What you need to know, first of all, is that this book is sort of a personal account of Charlie Watson and his strange journey with magic. Charlie, our protagonist, is directly talking to the readers and telling us about his various encounters with different people, telling us about his thoughts and feelings. As a result, I was able to fully connect and understand Charlie as a character. He’s kind, innocent and childlike, and although that can be a little annoying at first, it’s impossible to hate him. He goes through many changes and the readers are right there with him. At the end of the book, I loved his character arc!
The plot is truly strange and interesting, and yet it has a heartwarming touch to it. I felt like it was a little bit dragging at the first few parts, but once the conflict has been introduced, it has been an exciting turn of events. Charlie met a lot of people who made him realize different things, people who made him question whether magic is real or not, and people who made him think about the existence of everything.
There are also a couple of issues talked about in the book. Bullying was a recurring theme and I love the subtlety of various characters overcoming it. Suicide/depression was also talked about in the story, but I feel like the author could have expounded more on that.
Overall, this was quite a nice read and I recommend it to those who are looking for a little magic!
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
I received an e-arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Man. I'm starting to feel like I have bad luck with the YA contemporary novels I read this year.
This book had the potential to be such a wonderful and cute book, but unfortunately it didn't wow me enough. I wasn't invested in the characters, nor the plot, nor the romance. It pains me to say this, but all I have for this book is plain indifference. I really had hopes for this one! The two stars are for the Mexican-American rep and the fact that the subplots weren't left hanging.
Man. I'm starting to feel like I have bad luck with the YA contemporary novels I read this year.
This book had the potential to be such a wonderful and cute book, but unfortunately it didn't wow me enough. I wasn't invested in the characters, nor the plot, nor the romance. It pains me to say this, but all I have for this book is plain indifference. I really had hopes for this one! The two stars are for the Mexican-American rep and the fact that the subplots weren't left hanging.
Elysium Girls is an incredibly diverse and original YA Fantasy novel that will wow you as you flip the page!
When I first saw and heard of Elysium Girls I was intrigued, but I’m going to be honest and say I didn’t know what to make of it. But as I read, I realized just how original and unique this story is. It’s not your usual YA Fantasy novel with magic in a fictional magical land. Instead, it’s a story in a Southern setting with a diverse cast and a high stakes plot.
The first 40% dragged on for me. It definitely took a while to build up. But once I got past that, it just got more interesting! I met the girl gang of witches (which was incredibly diverse and I have to give kudos to the author for that, (there are Mexican characters, Black characters, and Native American characters!)), and the plot thickened.
The characters are great, but I wanted more characterization. Specifically, I wanted to explore these different characters more and see more of their relationship with the other characters. For example, Sal and Asa has a connection since they were part of a big mistake and got exiled from Elysium together. They have a bond of their own, but I never got to see that flourish. Sal and Olivia also has quite a dynamic as sister witches/co-leaders, but I never fully saw that. And of course, Sal and Lucy. I shipped them since the beginning, even though they only had a few scenes together. I just wanted more of them!
On the other hand, I loved the plot twists! They were not anything major or out of the blue, instead they were just right and were cleverly written into the story. The author’s use of foreshadowing was also great and it made the story more exciting as I unraveled all the little details. The epic final battle was also a great way to end the story! Although, I do wish that there was some sort of epilogue after that.
Overall, Elysium Girls was a great read and I am pleasantly surprised! Go ahead and pick up this book!
(This review was first published as part of the Elysium Girls Blog Tour.)
When I first saw and heard of Elysium Girls I was intrigued, but I’m going to be honest and say I didn’t know what to make of it. But as I read, I realized just how original and unique this story is. It’s not your usual YA Fantasy novel with magic in a fictional magical land. Instead, it’s a story in a Southern setting with a diverse cast and a high stakes plot.
The first 40% dragged on for me. It definitely took a while to build up. But once I got past that, it just got more interesting! I met the girl gang of witches (which was incredibly diverse and I have to give kudos to the author for that, (there are Mexican characters, Black characters, and Native American characters!)), and the plot thickened.
The characters are great, but I wanted more characterization. Specifically, I wanted to explore these different characters more and see more of their relationship with the other characters. For example, Sal and Asa has a connection since they were part of a big mistake and got exiled from Elysium together. They have a bond of their own, but I never got to see that flourish. Sal and Olivia also has quite a dynamic as sister witches/co-leaders, but I never fully saw that. And of course, Sal and Lucy. I shipped them since the beginning, even though they only had a few scenes together. I just wanted more of them!
On the other hand, I loved the plot twists! They were not anything major or out of the blue, instead they were just right and were cleverly written into the story. The author’s use of foreshadowing was also great and it made the story more exciting as I unraveled all the little details. The epic final battle was also a great way to end the story! Although, I do wish that there was some sort of epilogue after that.
Overall, Elysium Girls was a great read and I am pleasantly surprised! Go ahead and pick up this book!
(This review was first published as part of the Elysium Girls Blog Tour.)
Okay book nerds. Strap in because this book may just be my top/favorite read of 2020. I kid you not.
The Electric Heir is one conclusion I will never forget. It's powerful, it's gripping, it's intense, it's heartbreaking, and above all, it's beautifully done. I am truly in awe of this book.
Beautifully written
The Electric Heir is beautifully written. There's no other way to go about it. Every sentence, every chapter, every archive part, every flashback—they were all there for a reason, they were all there to create a powerful story that will affect the readers. And boy, was I affected. My breath was knocked out of me; I was left feeling horrified; I cried; I felt all the anger, the frustration, the sadness, the angst, the fear, the hope; everything. I was so emotionally invested with the characters and the story because of the prose and how the author carefully built the story. I admire it so much.
I also loved the addition of Dara's point of view. It was so great to know more of his perspective, his experiences, his thoughts, his feelings. He was an enigma in The Fever King, and here in The Electric Heir, we're given the chance to peek into his mind. I loved it.
Complex characters
I loved how the author created such complex characters and explored each and every one of them. From Noam, to Dara, to Lehrer, and even the minor characters like Ames, Bethany, Taye, Leo, Priya and Claire. I applaud the author for such a great job with these characters.
Noam, my sweet boy, Noam. There's a drastic change from the Noam in The Fever King to the Noam here in The Electric Heir. He's braver, smarter, definitely more powerful, but there's also a new kind of darkness inside of him—a mix of guilt, longing, trauma, secrets, wrong decisions, and more.
And Dara, my darling boy, Dara. There's also a drastic change in Dara, all right. With him being no longer a Witching, we see him struggle and try to cope with being a normal person. We also see him try to deal with all that happened while he was gone, deal with the new Noam, and deal with the horrors Lehrer has imprinted on his mind.
And that brings me to Lehrer. Just when I thought I have an idea of what kind of person Lehrer is, I am proven wrong. Lehrer’s character is such a good villain, I have to admit that, even though I have a newfound hatred for him. Him being an antagonist is good because it's so real, because his character exists in the real world—in the faces of abusers, of corrupt politicians, of tyrants, of manipulators. That's what makes him so good, and so scary, and so frustrating.
Gripping storyline with significant themes
The author dedicated The Electric Heir to survivors. Because above all, this story is about surviving. Surviving abusers, surviving tyranny, surviving your own demons. I absolutely loved how the author focused on themes such as abuse, trauma, mental health, politics, relationships. There were already themes like these in The Fever King, but it's in this book where these themes were such a distinct part of the plot. The author has woven them all together with such regard and, for me, it created such a powerful, gripping, and emotional story that will really stay with me as a reader and as a person. It was brilliant.
Overall, this book is just so, so good. Actually, it's more than that, it's magnificent, What a finale! I'm pretty sure this is my new obsession now, and I can say that Victoria Lee is now one of my favorite authors.
So glad, this got adapted into a Webtoon! AAAAAHHHHHHH
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
The Electric Heir is one conclusion I will never forget. It's powerful, it's gripping, it's intense, it's heartbreaking, and above all, it's beautifully done. I am truly in awe of this book.
Beautifully written
The Electric Heir is beautifully written. There's no other way to go about it. Every sentence, every chapter, every archive part, every flashback—they were all there for a reason, they were all there to create a powerful story that will affect the readers. And boy, was I affected. My breath was knocked out of me; I was left feeling horrified; I cried; I felt all the anger, the frustration, the sadness, the angst, the fear, the hope; everything. I was so emotionally invested with the characters and the story because of the prose and how the author carefully built the story. I admire it so much.
I also loved the addition of Dara's point of view. It was so great to know more of his perspective, his experiences, his thoughts, his feelings. He was an enigma in The Fever King, and here in The Electric Heir, we're given the chance to peek into his mind. I loved it.
Complex characters
I loved how the author created such complex characters and explored each and every one of them. From Noam, to Dara, to Lehrer, and even the minor characters like Ames, Bethany, Taye, Leo, Priya and Claire. I applaud the author for such a great job with these characters.
Noam, my sweet boy, Noam. There's a drastic change from the Noam in The Fever King to the Noam here in The Electric Heir. He's braver, smarter, definitely more powerful, but there's also a new kind of darkness inside of him—a mix of guilt, longing, trauma, secrets, wrong decisions, and more.
And Dara, my darling boy, Dara. There's also a drastic change in Dara, all right. With him being no longer a Witching, we see him struggle and try to cope with being a normal person. We also see him try to deal with all that happened while he was gone, deal with the new Noam, and deal with the horrors Lehrer has imprinted on his mind.
And that brings me to Lehrer. Just when I thought I have an idea of what kind of person Lehrer is, I am proven wrong. Lehrer’s character is such a good villain, I have to admit that, even though I have a newfound hatred for him. Him being an antagonist is good because it's so real, because his character exists in the real world—in the faces of abusers, of corrupt politicians, of tyrants, of manipulators. That's what makes him so good, and so scary, and so frustrating.
Gripping storyline with significant themes
The author dedicated The Electric Heir to survivors. Because above all, this story is about surviving. Surviving abusers, surviving tyranny, surviving your own demons. I absolutely loved how the author focused on themes such as abuse, trauma, mental health, politics, relationships. There were already themes like these in The Fever King, but it's in this book where these themes were such a distinct part of the plot. The author has woven them all together with such regard and, for me, it created such a powerful, gripping, and emotional story that will really stay with me as a reader and as a person. It was brilliant.
Overall, this book is just so, so good. Actually, it's more than that, it's magnificent, What a finale! I'm pretty sure this is my new obsession now, and I can say that Victoria Lee is now one of my favorite authors.
So glad, this got adapted into a Webtoon! AAAAAHHHHHHH
(This review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm.)
(Actual rating 3.5 stars. I received an e-arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Sourcebooks Fire!) When I first saw the cover of this book, I immediately liked it! And then I read the synopsis and I was just so excited because it seemed like a fun contemporary read for me. I was right!
If We Were Us is a fun and entertaining read, with similar vibes as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!
What I love most about this book is the fact that it's funny, light-hearted, but can still be very gut-wrenching in some parts. It explored the characters' flaws and issues, and their insecurities and mistakes. It was good to see these characters try to deal with them and overcome them by the end of the book. I also particularly adored the friendships and the dynamics between several characters! There's Charlie and Sage, Luke and Sage, and Nick and Charlie!
I did, however, feel like it lacked in the romance department. I wanted more build-up, I wanted more flashbacks, I wanted more details, especially when it came to Nick and Sage's relationship. Nick claimed he had feelings for Sage even before, but I didn't see that nor did I feel it. I needed romance that's believable, romance that will sway me. But in the end, I wasn't fully convinced. So, I was disappointed about that.
Another thing is that, the writing style was okay, but sometimes it left me confused. Several times in the book, there were references to something or someone or some place or event, but those things/persons/places/events were not explained or given primary details.
On the other hand, I love how this book perfectly captured the ridiculously frustrating stereotype/idea that a girl and boy can't be close friends without having feelings for each other. In the story, it has affected families, friends, the whole Bexley school body. This needs to stop, and this story just proves how bad that mentality can be.
Overall, If We Were Us was an entertaining read! I recommend this book to those who are looking for cute, short reads! (And those who are looking for books that has the same vibes as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!)
If We Were Us is a fun and entertaining read, with similar vibes as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!
What I love most about this book is the fact that it's funny, light-hearted, but can still be very gut-wrenching in some parts. It explored the characters' flaws and issues, and their insecurities and mistakes. It was good to see these characters try to deal with them and overcome them by the end of the book. I also particularly adored the friendships and the dynamics between several characters! There's Charlie and Sage, Luke and Sage, and Nick and Charlie!
I did, however, feel like it lacked in the romance department. I wanted more build-up, I wanted more flashbacks, I wanted more details, especially when it came to Nick and Sage's relationship. Nick claimed he had feelings for Sage even before, but I didn't see that nor did I feel it. I needed romance that's believable, romance that will sway me. But in the end, I wasn't fully convinced. So, I was disappointed about that.
Another thing is that, the writing style was okay, but sometimes it left me confused. Several times in the book, there were references to something or someone or some place or event, but those things/persons/places/events were not explained or given primary details.
On the other hand, I love how this book perfectly captured the ridiculously frustrating stereotype/idea that a girl and boy can't be close friends without having feelings for each other. In the story, it has affected families, friends, the whole Bexley school body. This needs to stop, and this story just proves how bad that mentality can be.
Overall, If We Were Us was an entertaining read! I recommend this book to those who are looking for cute, short reads! (And those who are looking for books that has the same vibes as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!)
Just when you thought it couldn't get better, it does.
Prisoner of Azkaban IS AMAZING. AMAZING. From the plot, to the characters, to the writing, and to the amazing world-building! I feel like world-building just keeps getting better and better and it consumes you AAAAAHHHH.
I love how, in the first few parts of the book, it's just all about Harry, Ron, and Hermione trying to go to class and pass, and play Quidditch and stuff. But even though this might seem boring, it was all so interesting. I couldn't help but pay attention to Quidditch, I couldn't help but marvel about the education system at Hogwarts, I couldn't help but wonder about all the other amazing creatures and spells we don't know about. It's all so good. The world-building is amazing and it just hooks you in. I really applaud the author for this.
Also, I can't help but notice that friendship was such a major theme and element in this book. From Harry, Ron, and Hermione, to the Marauders all those years ago. This book showed not only the power and beauty of friendship, but also its flaws. I absolutely loved it!
This is by far my favorite (reread), but I still have four books to go, and I know those will be filled with more plot, and action, and drama. I can't wait!
Prisoner of Azkaban IS AMAZING. AMAZING. From the plot, to the characters, to the writing, and to the amazing world-building! I feel like world-building just keeps getting better and better and it consumes you AAAAAHHHH.
I love how, in the first few parts of the book, it's just all about Harry, Ron, and Hermione trying to go to class and pass, and play Quidditch and stuff. But even though this might seem boring, it was all so interesting. I couldn't help but pay attention to Quidditch, I couldn't help but marvel about the education system at Hogwarts, I couldn't help but wonder about all the other amazing creatures and spells we don't know about. It's all so good. The world-building is amazing and it just hooks you in. I really applaud the author for this.
Also, I can't help but notice that friendship was such a major theme and element in this book. From Harry, Ron, and Hermione, to the Marauders all those years ago. This book showed not only the power and beauty of friendship, but also its flaws. I absolutely loved it!
This is by far my favorite (reread), but I still have four books to go, and I know those will be filled with more plot, and action, and drama. I can't wait!